How to Remove a Cork From an Empty Wine Bottle

If you accidentally push the cork into a wine bottle, there is a way to retrieve it without breaking the bottle. If the bottle is empty you are all set to begin. If there is still wine inside the bottle, pour the wine out into a carafe before beginning. Removing the cork from a wine bottle is also a fun party trick that amazes your friends.

Instructions

1. Take an empty plastic bag and lay it on the table. Roll the bag or fold it like an accordion with the open part of the bag on one end and the closed part of the bag on the other.

2. Insert the bag into the bottle, leaving approximately 2 to 3 inches of the open end of the bag sticking out from the neck of the bottle. If the bag is long enough to reach all the way down to the bottom of the bottle, that is great. If the bag does not go all the way to the bottom of the bottle you need to get the cork up near the bag.

3. Pick up the wine bottle and hold it horizontally. Shake the bottle to make the cork move up so it is along side of the bag, if necessary.

4. Open the end of the plastic bag and blow into it. Continue blowing until the plastic bag expands to fill the wine bottle.

5. Grasp the top of the bag in your hand and pull firmly on the bag, pulling it out of the bottle. The bag should pull the cork out of the bottle with it.

Tips & Warnings

• If the plastic bag pulls the cork up and the cork gets stuck in the neck of the bottle, use a corkscrew to finish removing the cork from the bottle.